Artist: Animals As Leaders
Title: Weightless
Genre: Progressive / Metal / Jazz / Electro
Release Date: 4th November 2011
Label: Prostethic Records
Album Review
“This is the future of virtuoso, creative and heavy guitar-playing!”
Steve Vai about Animals as Leaders
In 2009, Tosin Abasi founded ANIMALS AS LEADERS as a solo-project and the self-titled debut was widely praised and acknowledged. Meanwhile the “project” has turned into a band that beside touring with acts like DEFTONES, UNDERØATH, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, THE FACELESS, THURDAY, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, DECAPITATED or DREDG, now released their second album called ‘Weightless’.
Although the sound of ANIMALS AS LEADERS didn’t change that much, the release has a lot of interesting songs in store. A little bit of Djent over here, a little bit of Metal with electronic influences over there and a dash of Jazz in the middle… ready go! But still in a impressive way of performing that offers unequalled opportunities. Of course, MESHUGGAH is a reference that has to be mentioned here or maybe DYSRHYTHMIA, but anyhow this band is path breaking in their way of creating Djent and instrumental music in their genre.
Nevertheless, ‘Weightless’ is not that trailblazing album as its predecessor. It’s not so innovative in its composition and sometimes a little bit bulky, without losing quality in performing such music as ANIMALS AS LEADERS do. I´m torn between the opinion of listening to one of the most impressive bands ever or the opinion of listening to a solid release that is only beaten by its forerunner. To put it on a nutshell: ‘Weightless’ is definitely not that kind of music, anyone would listen to - although it’s f****** worth it! But compared to the debut, the actual release is not so innovative and needs more time to show its full qualities to the audience.
For my own part, I take my hat off to the virtuosity of these guys!
Tracklist
01. An Infinite Regression
02. Odessa
03. Somnarium
04. Earth Departure
05. Isolated Incidents
06. Do Not Go Gently
07. New Eden
08. Cylindrical Sea
09. Espera
10. To Lead You To An Overwhelming Question
11. Weightless
12. David
Line-up
Tosin Abasi – Guitar
Javier Reyes – Guitar
Navene Koperweis – Drums
Website
http://www.myspace.com/animalsasleaders / http://www.facebook.com/animalsasleaders
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7.5
Sound: 10
Extras: -
Total: 8.75 / 10
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